| Sand extraction goes unabated; mafia, officials nexus suspected | | | S.Tahir-Ul Haq
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, May 10 : Despite a ban on extraction of sand and boulders from streams across the state, the illegal practice is going unabated at various places across.
Early Times has learnt that there is a nexus between sand dealers and different government agencies.
Every day, hundreds of tractors, trucks and mules can be seen stripping the river beds of the mineral wealth from unauctioned sites, close to several important bridges.
Following incessant rains in last month, heavy extraction of sand and boulders is going on in streams, a few of which are famous for trout fish.
Sources said the Mawar stream is worst hit by extraction. The scene is no different in Langate, Khumriyal, Khurhama, and Batnar villages in Kupwara district, and Sumbal, Shilwat, and Shahgund areas in Bandipora district. Johamma, Hygam, Delina and Wagoora in Baramulla district face the same menace.
Heavy vehicles, including tippers, tractors and JCBs are mainly used by contractors for extraction of sand and boulders from the streams and transportation to other areas in the district. Stones and boulders are being indiscriminately extracted, which is affecting the ecology of the area, the sources added.
"The government that allows illegal mining at the cost of natural environment and resources of the nation is definitely anti-people," the sources said.
A senior official from Geology and Mining department said, "Sand smuggling from rivulets and streams is a regular phenomenon in J&K, which has not created problems for the concerned departments only but for the general public as well. Recent floods is an example."
"The officials are facing a challenging task of preventing the illegal sand quarrying. Most of the illegal sand extracted from the reaches is used for construction activity particularly in the construction of buildings, houses, and government projects as well," the official added.
He said that there was no difference between extraction on the permit issued by the department and the illegal activity, as sand mining brought in tremendous profit.
However sources in the Geology and mining department blamed law enforcement agencies for the mess. "The police and the district administration have to take action and stop illegal mining," they said. |
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